Bassinet

ABSTRACT

A bassinet includes a base, a column assembly rotatably connected to the base at a first end of the column assembly, an arm rotatably connected to a second end of the column assembly, a tub frame pivotably connected to the arm, an infant tub retained within the tub frame, the infant tub including a front wall, a back wall, and two side walls and having areas of reduced height along the front wall and at least one of the side walls to provide enhanced access to the infants located within the infant tub, and an insert configured to reversibly fit within an interior of the infant tub.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority toPCT/US2018/050906 filed Sep. 13, 2018, which claims the benefit of andpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/558,535filed Sep. 14, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to the field ofpostnatal maternal and infant health care devices and system, inparticular to medical bassinets for use in postnatal units withinhospitals, birthing centers, and/or other healthcare facilities.

BACKGROUND

Until recently, the standard of hospital care for healthy term newbornswas to be observed and cared for by maternity staff in a nursery withother infants, an environment that is physically separated from thebirth mother. The World Health Organization/UNICEF report Ten Steps forSuccessful Breastfeeding (1989; 2009; 2018), however, established a setof global evidence-based best practices to promote optimal healthoutcomes for both the infant(s) and the birth mother. These guidelineswere subsequently recommended in 2011 by the U.S. Surgeon General to beimplemented for all U.S. maternity facilities. Further, Ten Stepsimplementation is a Healthy People 2020 objective (MICH 24). Step sevenof the Ten Steps focuses on mothers and babies “rooming-in” together 24hours per day (i.e., substantially continuously), with one hour ofseparation allocated as being allowable for procedures on the infant orbirth mother outside of the postnatal unit room.

As a result, the practice of common nursery care is no longerrecommended nor facilitated. However, the vast majority of bassinets inUS hospitals are still designed for use by ambulatory nursery staff,rather than for use by new mothers, whose mobility is limited byrecovering from birth. As such, currently utilized postnatal unitbassinets are designed in a manner that is inconsistent withmaternal-infant health needs. Specifically, two example instances wherecurrent bassinet designs restrict maternal access to infants and exposethe infant to physical injury are (1) that the infant sleeping tub tipsunder the weight of the arms of a mother as she reaches into thebassinet tub from the bed, and (2) that the height of the walls of theinfant sleeping tubs compromises infant access and secure handling.

Designs for currently available bassinets are especially deficient formothers who deliver by cesarean section, as their mobility restrictionsand pain after delivery of the infant hinder infant care, impede theirown recovery, and contribute significantly to the risk of infant falls.Cesarean section births currently account for 1.3 million births in theUS annually. By requiring new mothers to either substantially twisttheir bodies in the immediate postpartum period to access their infantsin the bassinet or to get out of bed to reach their infants, existingpostnatal unit bassinet designs expose new mothers to unnecessaryfrustration, pain, and/or injury. Impeded maternal access to theirinfants during hospitalization also undermines breastfeeding, which iscritical to both maternal and child health and requires recognition ofinfant cues and the ability to put infants to the breast frequently. Infact, when using conventionally designed postnatal bassinets, mothersreport postnatal unit breastfeeding obstacles as being intertwined withthe difficulty presented with using such conventional bassinets, withnighttime being the most challenging period due to maternal pain,fatigue, and the difficulty experienced during each infant handlingencounter. In some instances, mothers have reported feeling limited intheir ability to put their newborns to the breast because of theirrelentless pain that increases during such movements.

Existing bassinet designs also present a health equity issue—in theabsence of attentive family members willing and able to provide 24-hourassistance, new mothers often call upon nurses for non-medical needssuch as infant diaper changes. Women who are feeling vulnerable afterchildbirth, however, whether as a result of being, for example, from alower socioeconomic background or due to existing language barriers, maynot request the care they need. When new mothers call for medicalpersonnel (i.e., nursing staff) due to their inherent mobilityrestrictions, nurses may be delayed in responding to the medical needsof, or otherwise cut short medical care to, others. Current constraintsplace practical burdens and emotional strain on healthcare staff. Infact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently advocatedfor new bassinet technology.

The iatrogenic obstacles presented by existing bassinet designscontribute to infants being placed in the maternity bed or on chairswhile the new mother is asleep, instead of being placed back into thebassinet. This coping strategy while rooming-in contributes to infantfalls and suffocation, contributing to increased mortality rates,although the degree of the increase is not specifically known due to ahistorical lack of mandatory reporting of such events.

In 2009, only 2.9% of US hospitals had earned the WHO/UNICEF“Baby-Friendly” designation. This global standard of healthcare hasrapidly expanded to the point where all 50 states now contain at leastone facility with the “Baby-Friendly” designation. By 2018, over 26% ofall US hospitals and birthing centers have the “Baby-Friendly”designation. The significant uptake of these evidence-based practiceshas been supported by Federal investment in initiatives that assisthospital facilities on their Baby-Friendly journey.

As such, a need currently exists to provide enhanced visual and physicalaccess to infants by new mothers who are “rooming-in” with their infantsin order to reduce the risk for tragic adverse events, such as falls orsuffocation, by providing a secure and accessible sleeping location forthe infant. Moreover, there is an unmet need in relation to patient(maternal) access to convenient and safe bassinet use as typically abassinet is positioned and adjusted at the bedside by someone standingnext to the bed and not by the mother from a seated position in bed.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, a bassinet is provided comprising a base, a columnassembly rotatably connected to the base at a first end of the columnassembly, an arm rotatably connected to a second end of the columnassembly, a tub frame pivotably connected to the arm, an infant tubretained within the tub frame, the infant tub comprising a front wall, aback wall, and two side walls and having areas of reduced height alongthe front wall and at least one of the side walls to provide enhancedaccess to the infants located within the infant tub, and an insertconfigured to reversibly fit within an interior of the infant tub,wherein, in a first position, all or some of the insert can block theareas of reduced height. In some aspects, an upper edge of the infanttub and at least some or all of the insert can be substantiallycontinuous and a uniform height around a perimeter of the infant tub,and wherein, in a second position, the insert does not block the areasof reduced height and can be positioned adjacent to the back wall and atleast portions of the two side walls of the infant tub. The insert ismaintained in position, at least in part, by being held between thelateral edges of a mattress located within the infant tub and one ormore corresponding walls (e.g., front, side, or rear walls) of theinfant tub. In some embodiments, the insert can be moved between theaccess position and the secure position while the mattress remainssubstantially stationary within the infant tub, without the need to movean infant resting thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter is setforth more in the remainder of the specification, including reference tothe accompanying, example figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of a bassinetsuitable for use in hospitals for example, in accordance with thedisclosure herein;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, in accordancewith the disclosure herein;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the base of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1,in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an internal portion of the column assembly ofthe bassinet shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 5 is a view of an internal portion of the column assembly shown inFIG. 4, showing a linear bearing interfacing with a support post of thebassinet, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the linear bearing shown in FIGS. 4 and5, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a portion of the column assembly,specifically a support post positioner, shown in FIG. 4, in accordancewith the disclosure herein;

FIG. 8 is an internal view vertically through the linear bearing and thesupport post, which are shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with thedisclosure herein;

FIG. 9 is a partial view of the column assembly, including the rotarylocking system, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, with therotary arm and column assembly being rotated by an angle relative to thebase, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the base of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, withthe anti-tip safety arm in a retracted position, in accordance with thedisclosure herein;

FIG. 12 is a partial view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, with theanti-tip safety arm in a deployed position, in accordance with thedisclosure herein;

FIG. 13 is a partial view of the base and column assembly of thebassinet shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are exploded views of components of the base and thecolumn assembly, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are partial top views of the infant tub and tub frame ofthe bassinet shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, with the rotaryarm being arranged at an angle relative to the base, in accordance withthe disclosure herein;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the bassinet in the configuration shownin FIG. 18, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of a routing path for the actuatingcables within the tub frame and rotary arm of the bassinet shown in FIG.1, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of a routing path for the actuatingcables through the column assembly and the base of the bassinet shown inFIG. 1, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 22 is a schematic top view through the linear bearing, showing theingress and egress regions for the actuating cable passing therethrough,in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 23 is a top view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, with the rotaryarm rotated relative to the base, in accordance with the disclosureherein;

FIGS. 24A-24E are isometric views showing the rotary arm of the bassinetshown in FIG. 1 in various rotatable positions relative to the base, inaccordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, inaccordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 26 is an isometric partial view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1,showing the column assembly, the rotary arm, the tub frame, and theinfant tub, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 27 is a partial view of the tub frame of the bassinet shown in FIG.1, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 28 is a top view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, in accordancewith the disclosure herein;

FIG. 29 is a top view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, with the rotaryarm rotated relative to the base and the tub frame rotated relative tothe rotary arm, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIGS. 30A-30D are isometric views showing the tub frame of the bassinetshown in FIG. 1 in various rotatable positions relative to the rotaryarm, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the infant tub of the bassinet of FIG.1, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 32 is a side view of the infant tub of the bassinet of FIG. 1, inaccordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 33 is an isometric view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, inaccordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 34 is a partial view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, in accordancewith the disclosure herein;

FIG. 35 is an isometric view of the infant tub of the bassinet of FIG. 1with an insert positioned therein, in accordance with the disclosureherein;

FIG. 36A is a front view of the infant tub of the bassinet of FIG. 1with an insert positioned therein, in accordance with the disclosureherein;

FIG. 36B is an isometric view of the infant tub of the bassinet of FIG.1 in an incompletely seated position with respect to the tub frame, suchthat a visual indicator is visible to warn a user of incomplete orimproper infant tub positioning within the tub frame, in accordance withthe disclosure herein;

FIGS. 37-40 are isometric views of the infant tub and tub frame of thebassinet of FIG. 1, with a further example embodiment of a two-pieceinsert shown in first and second positions, in accordance with thedisclosure herein;

FIG. 41 is an isometric view of the infant tub of and tub frame of FIG.37, showing a mattress positioned within the infant tub to secure theinsert within the infant tub, in accordance with the disclosure herein;and

FIGS. 42 and 43 are isometric views of the bassinet of FIG. 1 accordingto an embodiment having a lighting device attached to the bassinet, inaccordance with the disclosure herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example embodiment for a bassinet suitable for use in a hospital,birthing center or other maternity healthcare setting is illustrated inthe figures, which will be described further hereinbelow in anon-limiting manner. In the embodiments shown, the bassinet comprises abase, a column assembly connected to the base, an arm connected to thecolumn assembly, a tub frame connected to the arm, and an infant tubthat is removably contained within the tub frame. In some embodiments,the height of the arm, the tub frame, and the infant tub is variable andmanually selectable by a user, from a standing or seated position forexample, over a predefined range of heights relative to the base and thesurface on which the mobile bassinet is supported (e.g., the floor). Insome embodiments, the arm is a rotary arm that is configured to rotatethrough a predefined range of rotary movements relative to the base ofthe mobile bassinet. In some embodiments, the tub frame is configured torotate relative to the arm. In some embodiments, the base may be absentand replaced with another structure, such as any suitable non-movablestructure for example, that provides complete support for the bassinet,such as, for example, a hospital bed in a postnatal unit room in ahospital or other birthing center, such that the bassinet is no longerindependently mobile from the supporting structure, but is rotatablerelative thereto. These features are capable of being combined in anycombination without deviating from the scope of the subject matterdisclosed herein.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, an example embodiment of a mobile bassinet, generallydesignated 1, is shown. Bassinet 1 has a base, generally designated 100,a column assembly, generally designated 200, attached to the base 100,an arm, generally designated 300, rotatably connected to the columnassembly 200, a tub frame, generally designated 400, rotatably connectedto the arm, and an infant tub, generally designated 500, that isremovably contained within a recessed portion of the tub frame 400. Asshown, the tub frame has, for example, three rotational degrees offreedom from a stationary object (e.g., a hospital bed) about which thebassinet 1 is movably positioned. The first rotational degree of freedomis achieved by the base 100 being rotatable and/or pivotable relative tothe stationary object using, for example casters (see, e.g., 130 in FIG.3). The second rotational degree of freedom is achieved by the columnassembly 200, as well as the arm 300, tub frame 400, and infant tub 500,being rotatable and/or pivotable about the base 100. The thirdrotational degree of freedom is achieved by the tub frame 400, as wellas the infant tub 500, being rotatable and/or pivotable about the arm300. At least some of the components of the bassinet 1 are capable ofbeing secured and/or locked, at least temporarily, in any respectiveposition achieved due to the three rotational degrees of freedom. Due tothese three rotational degrees of freedom, the infant tub is capable ofbeing moved into virtually any user-selectable position relative to thestationary object. In FIG. 2, the bassinet 1 is shown in a position andconfiguration that could be used for either transport of an infantwithin the infant tub 500 or for inactive periods of time (e.g., whenthe infant is sleeping).

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the base 100 isolated from the othercomponents of bassinet 1. Base 100 comprises a main body, generallydesignated 110, which comprises a base plate 112 and a wheel mount area116 attached at each corner thereof, with the wheel mount areas 116being connected to the base plate 112 by a transition region 114. Theuse of the transition regions 114 allows for the base 100 to have alower center of mass by having the base plate 112 lower than the heightof the wheel mount areas 116, which is generally determined by thephysical dimensions of the wheels 130 selected for a given application.By way of example, it may be advantageous to use caster or other wheels130 that are pneumatic for bassinets that will be used to transportinfants over any typical surfaces (e.g., paved surfaces), while harderwheels 130, e.g., those made from plastic or solid rubber, may beselected for bassinets that will only be used on smooth surfaces, suchas those found within a typical U.S. hospital. In general, pneumaticwheels will have a larger diameter than will hard plastic or rubbercaster wheels, such that the height difference between the wheel mountarea 116 and the base plate 112 may be selected based on the type ofwheel 130 that will be installed on the base 100 of the bassinet. Base100 can include manual or front wheels 134 which can be manuallylockable (e.g., by foot actuation of a locking lever) and are rotatablein direction R1 about an axis. Base 100 also has rear wheels 132 whichcan have an automatic locking function, such that they will only rotatewhen the automatic lock is released by a user and will automaticallylock when the user disengages the automatic lock release or the base caninstead be otherwise secured without automatic locking into a stationaryposition with any suitable structure. Also, it is possible for base 100to not have any locking function. Rear wheels 132 can be pivoting, asshown by R1 for front wheels 134, or can be rotationally fixed. In theembodiment shown, all caster wheels 130 are rotatable in the directionR1 about an axis defined by the attachment location of each caster wheel130 to the base 100. Each wheel 130 can be individually locked in astationary position, for example angularly or rotationally, to preventmovement thereof while the bassinet is in motion. Each wheel 130 canalso include a shroud or other cover if desired. Base 100 has a hole 120therein for attachment of the column assembly 200 to the base 100.

In FIG. 4, an internal view of column assembly 200 is shown, withexternal structural/cladding members being omitted to clearly illustratethe internal structures therein. Column support 250 is attached to thebase 100 (see FIG. 3) of the bassinet and is fixed thereto such that thecolumn support 250 is held stationary with respect to base 100. A heightadjuster 252 is attached to the base 100 at a first end thereof and to asupport post 230 at a second end thereof. The height adjuster 252 allowsfor arm 300 to be set at one of a plurality of heights relative to base100 within a predefined range of height values. The support post 230 isconnected at its first end to the arm 300 by arm collar 320, which issecurely clamped about the support post 230 to prevent relative angularrotations between the arm 300 and the support post 230. The support post230 passes through a linear bearing, generally designated 210. Thelinear bearing is configured to prevent relative rotational movementsbetween the support post 230, which has a square cross-section and acircular lower support member 236 (see FIG. 10). The support post 230has a support post positioner generally designated 240 attached at thesecond end thereof. The support post positioner 240 has across-sectional shape that is contoured to the inner surface of thelower support member 236. Because the support post 230 is connected tothe lower support member 236 at two positions, unwanted movements (e.g.,“wobbling”) of the infant tub are minimized. The support post 230 ismoved vertically by an actuation of the height adjuster, which can be apneumatic cylinder in some embodiments.

The linear bearing 210 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5-8. Thelinear bearing 210 has a housing 212 that can be formed as a singlepiece with a single housing seam 214 or as two separate pieces that areattached (e.g., hinged together in a clam shell arrangement or asseparate pieces that are not connected to each other prior toinstallation) around the support post 230, so as to define two housingseams 214. The housing 212 has an upper flange 211 with a shape that issubstantially similar (e.g., a same, similar, or larger diameter) to thelower support member 236 (see FIG. 10). The housing 212 is connected tothe lower support member 236 by fasteners 222 (e.g., threaded screws)passing through holes 222A passing through the flange 211. At least one(e.g., a plurality of) upper roller 218 extends upwards from the housing212 and is arranged on each of the lateral sides of the support post230. At least one (e.g., a plurality of) lower roller 220 extendsdownwards from the housing 212 and is arranged on each of the lateralsides of the support post 230. Upper and lower rollers 218 and 220,respectively, are attached to the housing 212 at support members 218Aand 220A, respectively, which have through-holes formed therethrough.Upper and lower rollers 218 and 220, respectively, can be made of amaterial having a suitable durometer so as to be at least partiallycompressed against the surface of the support post 230 to ensurepositive pressure in the attachment of the linear bearing 210 about thesupport post 230. Linear bearing 210 is secured about the support post230 by one or more clamping fasteners 216, which can be of the threadedscrew type. The linear bearing 210 is configured such that the supportpost 230 is vertically mobile through and relative to the linear bearing210. A cavity 224 is formed through the thickness (e.g., in the verticaldirection) of the linear bearing 210. The cavity 224 has across-sectional shape and contour that is at least as large as thecross-sectional shape of the support post 230, but preferably has alarger cross-sectional area than the support post 230.

FIG. 7 shows the support post positioner 240, which has a perimeter inthe shape of a cylindrical disc, which is substantially the same shapeas the inner surface of the lower support member 236 (see FIG. 10),which is shown in this embodiment in the form of a hollow cylindricalmember. The support post positioner 240 has or defines a recess 242 thathas a shape (e.g., a “footprint”) that is the same size as the secondend of the support post 230 (see FIG. 4) where it is connected thereto.The outer and inner perimeters of the recess 242 are shaped such that adistance therebetween is at least as large as the thickness of the outerwalls of the support post 230. The support post positioner 240 issecured, in the embodiment shown, to the support post 230 by passing athreaded member through and from each of the securing holes, generallydesignated 246, into threaded receivers, generally designated 247 on atleast two opposing sides of the support post positioner 240. The supportpost positioner 240 has at least one or more cable-guiding holes,generally designated 244, that are formed through a thickness of thesupport post positioner 240. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of(e.g., four) cable-guiding holes 244 are provided and pass from an uppersurface to a lower surface within a central portion of the support postpositioner 240. These cable-guiding holes 244 are inclined at an anglerelative to a vertical axis substantially parallel to the direction ofextension of the support post 230. This inclination of the cable-guidingholes 244 may have a radial inclination component to impart a curvatureor winding form to the actuation cables passing therethrough (see FIG.21) so that these cables may be held in a coiled configuration withinthe lower support member 236. A central void, generally designated 248,is formed and is configured such that the height adjuster 252 (see FIG.10) can pass therethrough to be secured to the support post 230. In someembodiments, a hole may be formed through the height adjuster 252 thatwould be aligned to the securing holes 246 for securing the heightadjuster to the support post 230. In such embodiments, the receivers 247may not be threaded so that a connecting rod may freely extendtherethrough to interconnect the support post 230, the support postpositioner 240, and the height adjuster 252.

The height adjuster 252 is shown in FIG. 9 as fixedly connected to arotary gear 260, such that they are rotationally locked together, e.g.,by threaded members. The rotary gear 260 has a predefined range ofrotary movement defined by a toothed region 262 (see FIG. 12). In theembodiment shown, the rotary gear 260 has a maximum range of motion of±135° from a nominal (i.e. “0°”) position. The column assembly 200 issecured to the base by collar 280, which is attached to the base 100(e.g., at hole 120, see FIG. 3) in the form of a sandwich member, havinga two-piece construction with a first piece positioned below the base100 and a second piece positioned above the base 100. Collar 280 may bein the form of a rotary bearing for smooth rotary movements of thecolumn assembly 200 relative to the base 100. In some embodiments, abearing may be provided separately from the collar 280. Safety collar280 is provided at the bottom of column assembly 200 and is rotationallylocked to move with the other components of the column assembly 200.

The rotation of arm 300 and column assembly 200 relative to the base 100is shown in FIG. 10, with the direction of rotation being designated R2in this view. The internal components of the column assembly 200 arehidden in this view by upper support shroud 238, which is largely acosmetic, non-load bearing member, and by lower support member 236,which passes through column support 250 is rigidly attached to rotarygear 260 to prevent relative angular movements therebetween. Anti-tipsafety arm 290 is shown in the rotated, deployed, position, and isaligned to move radially with arm 300, such that arm 300 and anti-tipsafety arm 290 are aligned in a common plane.

FIGS. 11-15 show the anti-tip safety arm 290 in the retracted anddeployed positions. In FIG. 11, the anti-tip safety arm 290 is arrangedin the retracted position. Anti-tip safety arm 290 can comprise ananti-skid footing 298 at a distal end thereof, which can be made of, forexample, rubber or any material of sufficient durometer. Anti-tip safetyarm 290 is rotatably locked to move along with rotational movements ofthe column assembly by being secured to anti-tip safety arm mount 292 ata proximal end of anti-tip safety arm 290. Anti-tip safety arm 290 alsohas actuating member 294 attached adjacent to the proximal end ofanti-tip safety arm 290. Actuating disc 296 is provided in the form ofan arc on a bottom surface of base 100 and actuating member 294 ispositioned on anti-tip safety arm 290 to interface with actuating disc.Actuating disc has a reduced height at the central position, such thatanti-tip safety arm 290, which is spring-biased in the upward direction(e.g., towards the base 100), is moved to the retracted position whenthe actuating member 294 is located within the reduced height region ofthe actuating disc. Similarly, when the column assembly 200 and anti-tipsafety arm 290 are rotated from the nominal position, the actuatingmember 294 rotates and is displaced vertically downwards by theincreased thickness of the actuating disc 296 away from the nominalposition. In the embodiment shown, the actuating disc 296 has rotationalstop elements 296A positioned at the extremes of the arc defined by theactuating disc 296 to prevent excess movement of anti-tip safety arm 290beyond the bounds of the safety disc. In some embodiments, therotational stop elements 296A can be used to define the maximum amountof rotation of the column assembly 200 and arm 300 to prevent excessiverotation thereof relative to the base 100. The angular position of thecolumn assembly 200 and the arm 300 is maintained by engagement of therotary lock 270 with the toothed portion 262 of the rotary gear 260. Therotary lock 270 is slidingly attached to the base 100 at slot 111 (seeFIG. 10). By slidingly actuating rotary lock 270 to move radially awayfrom the rotary gear 260, it is possible to rotate column assembly 200and arm 300 relative to base 100. Once rotary lock 270 is slidinglyreengaged with the toothed portion 262 of rotary gear 260, relativeangular movements between the base 100 and the column assembly 200 areprevented. Rotary lock 270 and the rotary gear 260 have interlockinggear teeth formed therein that are complementary (e.g., having a shapeand size that mesh together). The granularity of rotational movement ofthe column assembly 200 relative to the base 100 is determined by thesize and pitch of the gear teeth of the rotary gear 260 and the rotarylock 270. FIGS. 14 and 15 are exploded views of the components of thecolumn assembly 200 that engage with and enable rotational movementrelative to the base 100.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the wheel handles, generally designated 410, thatare attached to the tub frame 400. Wheel handles 410 control disengagingthe automatic locking feature of the rear wheels 132 (see, e.g., FIG.21) to allow for movement of the bassinet 1, for example, for transportof an infant or positioning of the bassinet 1 relative to asubstantially stationary object, such as a hospital bed. While only asingle wheel handle 410 may be provided, in this embodiment tub frame400 comprises a plurality of wheel handles 410, specifically a quantityof four wheel handles 410, each of which are arranged on a corner of thetub frame 400, which has a substantially rectangular perimeter shape.Each first handle has a handle grip 412 and an actuator 414, which iscaptive within handle drip 412. Actuator 414 pivots, when squeezedagainst handle grip 412 by a user, about hinge 416. As such, actuator414 moves in the direction R3 which is oriented circumferentially tohinge 416. First handle may be integrally formed into the tub frame 400or may be removably attached thereto. The operation of the wheel handles410 will be discussed further hereinbelow with respect to FIGS. 20 and21.

FIGS. 17-19 show pivot/rotation handles, generally designated 430, andheight handles, generally designated 450, as part of the tub frame 400.Each of pivot/rotation handles 430 and height handles 450 are integrallyformed as part of the tub frame 400, but in some embodiments one or bothmay be removably attached or affixed to tub frame 400. While only asingle pivot/rotation handle 430 and a single height handle 450 may beprovided in some embodiments, in the example embodiment shown, aplurality of pivot/rotation handles 430 and a plurality of heighthandles 450 are provided as part of the tub frame 400. Specifically, twopivot/rotation handles 430 and two height handles 450 are provided. Thetwo pivot/rotation handles 430 are shown as being arranged on oppositesides/ends of the tub frame 400, the sides/ends of the tub frame 400 onwhich the pivot/rotation handles 430 are arranged being the sides of thebassinet 1 from which the infant is to be removed from or placed withinthe infant tub 500 (e.g., the long sides of the tub frame 400). The twoheight handles 450 are shown arranged on opposite sides/ends of the tubframe 400, the sides/ends of the tub frame 400 on which the heighthandles 450 are arranged being the sides of the bassinet 1 which thehead or feet of the infant are to be adjacent when the infant is in theinfant tub 500 (e.g., the short sides of the tub frame 400). Thequantities and locations described hereinabove regarding the wheelhandles 410, the pivot/rotation handles 430, and the height handles 450are merely examples and these handles may be combined in any locationand quantity without deviating from the scope of the subject matterdisclosed herein.

The pivot/rotation handles 430 have a grip 432 that is molded into thetub frame 400 along the length of the opposing long edges thereof. Thislocation of the pivot/rotation handles is contemplated as beingadvantageous because it will be more easily accessible bymobility-impaired users, such as, for example, new mothers. Locatedunderneath the grip 432 is one or more actuation bars 434 that a usercan linearly actuate by pulling the actuation bar 434 towards theperimeter edge of the grip 432 while holding grip 432. The actuation bar434, when actuated, allows for the column assembly 200 and the arm 300to rotate relative to the base 100, while simultaneously allowing forthe tub frame 400 and the infant tub 500 to rotate and/or pivot aboutthe substantially circular hub 310 of arm 300. In this embodiment collar250 does not rotate with respect to base 100, but is instead rigidlyattached thereto, so that lower support member 236 rotated within thecollar 250. In the embodiment shown, pivot/rotation handles 430 have asingle stage actuation, such that the rotating movement of arm 300 andcolumn assembly 200 and the pivoting movement of tub frame 400 andinfant tub 500 are activated substantially simultaneously. In someembodiments, however, pivot/rotation handles 430 may have dual stageactuation, such that the pivoting movement of the tub frame 400 and theinfant tub 500 is activated prior to the rotating movement of arm 300and column assembly 200 being activated, such that the pivoting movementof the tub frame 400 and the infant tub 500 is activated with a lesserdegree of movement of actuation bar 434 than is necessary to activatethe rotating movement of arm 300 and column assembly 200. The oppositeis also true, such that the rotating movement of arm 300 and columnassembly 200 may be activated prior to the pivoting movement of the tubframe 400 and the infant tub 500. In some further embodiments, therotating movement of arm 300 and column assembly 200 and the pivotingmovement of the tub frame 400 and the infant tub 500 may each becontrolled by a physically separate set of handles. These physicallyseparate sets of handles can have a common or separate grips.

The height handles 450 have a grip 452 that is molded into the tub frame400 along the length of the opposing short edges thereof. Locatedunderneath the grip 452 is one or more actuation tabs 454 that a usercan linearly actuate by pulling the actuation tab 454 towards theperimeter edge of the grip 452 while holding grip 452. Height handles450, because they are on a same edge as the wheel handles 410, have asignificantly reduced width compared to the pivot/rotation handles 430.The actuation tab 454, when actuated, allows for the actuation of theheight adjuster 252 (see, e.g., FIG. 4), allowing a user to increase ordecrease a length of the column assembly 200 and, accordingly, theheight of the tub frame 400 and the infant tub 500 relative to thesurface on which the base 100 is supported, for example, the ground.Upper support shroud 238 slides vertically over and/or around theperimeter of the lower support member 236. In some embodiments, a lowervertical stop can be selected based on the length of the upper supportshroud 238, such that upper support shroud 238 will contact collar 250when at the minimum operable height of the bassinet 1. The length ofupper support shroud 238 is selected such that, at a maximum operableheight of the bassinet 1, it remains circumferentially engaged around atleast a portion of the lower support member 236. This feature is bothaesthetically pleasing and functional, both hiding the linear bearing210 (see FIGS. 4-8) and ensuring that no alignment features are neededto maintain circumferential alignment of the upper support shroud 238and the lower support member 236, which could cause a binding or jam ofthe bassinet if they were allowed to become separated during use and didnot maintain sufficiently precise alignment with respect to each other.

Hub 310 has a substantially circular shape and is substantially hollow,except for cable guide features, such as walls, retaining clips, and thelike, to allow for adequate cable management for the cables needed foractuation of the wheel handles 410, the pivot/rotation handles 430, andthe height handles 450 to each achieve their stated functions. Hub 310has a substantially open top surface that mates with a correspondingsurface of the tub frame 400, which will be shown and described ingreater detail regarding FIG. 20. FIG. 19 shows an alternate embodimentof the bassinet, with anti-tip safety arm 290 being able to beselectively disengaged from the rotational movements of arm 300 andcolumn assembly 200.

FIGS. 20-22 show the various aspects of the cable routing for theplurality of handles 410, 430, 450 provided in the tub frame 400. Tubframe 400 has a central hub 472 that is attached to hub 310 of arm 300to create a substantially enclosed area in which actuation cables can berouted without being externally visible. Tub frame 400 has an at leastpartially hollow perimeter portion that is connected to the hub 472 bylateral ribs 470A, 470B, which can be entirely enclosed so the cablesrouted therethrough are not externally accessible or visible. To allowthe pivoting movement of the tub frame 400 and the infant tub 500 andthe rotary movement of the arm 300 to occur simultaneously and overtheir respective maximum degrees of angular movement (in the embodimentshown, both are capable of rotating/pivoting ±135° from a central, ornominal, position at “0°”).

For the rear wheels 132 (see, e.g., FIG. 3) to be unlocked, the actuator414 is connected to first wheel cable 418 and pulls the first wheelcable 418 as the actuator 414 pivots about hinge 416. First wheel cable418 is connected to first wheel cable interface 420, which is configuredto be held substantially stationary and/or for only linear movement inthe direction in which first wheel cable is pulled when actuator 414 issqueezed. First wheel cable interface 420 is connected to a second wheelcable 422, which extends towards, and is connected to, wheel cablereducer 424, which is configured to receive inputs from a plurality ofsecond wheel cables 422 and actuate a third wheel cable 426 as an outputwhen any of second wheel cables 424 transmit an actuation movement towheel cable reducer 424. Third wheel cable 426 is routed through hubs472 and 310, through arm 300, and to column assembly 200 at interimterminus 428. From interim terminus 428, third wheel cable 426 is routedvertically through column assembly 200, including, for example, throughsupport post 230, linear bearing 210, support post positioner 240, androtary gear 260, to be output from the bottom surface of the base 100and is connected to each of rear wheels 132 such that, when actuated,the lock of each rear wheel 132 is deactivated so that bassinet 1 can bemoved.

For the pivoting and rotational movements of the tub frame 400 and thearm 300, respectively, each actuator bar 434 is connected to the firstpivot cable 438 and pulls the first pivot cable 438 as the actuator bar434 is moved in the direction of the perimeter of grip 432. First pivotcables 438 pass through hub 310, 472, and are directed through the outerperimeter portion of the tub frame 400 to the pivot cable reducer 440.Pivot cable reducer 440 is configured to perform two actionssimultaneously when receiving an actuation input from either of theplurality of first pivot cables 438 attached to an input side thereof.In a first aspect directed to the control of the rotary movement of thearm 300 and the column assembly 200 about base 100, the pivot cablereducer 440 transmits a corresponding output to a rotary cable 442 thatis routed through and around the hub 310, 472 and into arm 300 to passinto and through the column assembly 200 at interim terminus 444. In asecond aspect directed to the control of the pivoting movement of thetub frame 400 and the infant tub 500 relative to the arm 300, the pivotcable reducer 440 actuates a pivot lock 476 radially away from a centralpivot gear 478 located within hub 310, 472 to allow for rotation of thepivot gear 478 relative to the pivot lock 476. When the actuating inputfrom first pivot cable 438 is no longer received at the pivot cablereducer, the pivot lock 476 moves back to engage with the pivot gear478, which is integrally formed with, or rigidly attached or affixed to,tub frame 400 within hub 472, to prevent the pivoting movement of thetub frame 400 and infant tub 500 relative to arm 300. In someembodiments, the pivot gear 478 can be integrally formed or rigidlyattached or affixed within hub 310 of arm 300. From interim terminus444, rotary cable 442 is routed vertically through column assembly 200,including, for example, through support post 230, linear bearing 210,support post positioner 240, and rotary gear 260, to be output from thebottom surface of the base 100 and is connected to rotary lock 270 suchthat, when actuated, the rotary lock 270 disengages from (e.g., movesradially away from) rotary gear 260 so that column assembly 200 and arm300 can rotated relative to base 100.

In the region within lower support member 236 below support postpositioner 240, the third wheel cable 426 and the third pivot cable 442are coiled in a substantially double helix arrangement (e.g., in aspring-like shape) which is vertically compressible, such that the pitchbetween each “coil” of each helix is variable based on the height atwhich the column assembly 200 is set. As such, when the column assembly200 is extended vertically, each helix becomes elongated and the coilsof the helix are spaced further apart. Similarly, when the columnassembly is shortened vertically, each helix becomes correspondinglycompressed and the coils of the helix are spaced closer together.

To control the height adjustment of the bassinet 1, which isaccomplished by changing the length of the column assembly 200, eachactuator tab 454 is connected to a first height adjustment cable 458 andpulls the first height adjustment cable 458 as the actuator tab 454 ismoved in the direction of the perimeter of grip 452. First heightadjustment cables 458 pass through the outer perimeter portion of thetub frame 400 to the height adjustment cable reducer 460. Heightadjustment cable reducer 460 receives an input from one of the firstheight adjustment cables 458 and transmits an actuation movement via asecond height adjustment cable 462, which passes into and around the hub310, 472 and is operably connected to height adjustment terminus 464within column assembly 200, such that the height adjuster 252 isactivated to alter a length of the column assembly, thereby changing aheight of the tub frame 400 and infant tub 500.

Various cable routing features are provided within and/or on tub frame400, arm 300, column assembly 200, and base 100 to maintain proper cablerouting and ensure that actuations of the respective cables aretransmitted from the respective handles to the respective actuationpoints within the bassinet 1. In FIG. 22, a top view through columnassembly is provided, with inlet regions 480 designating areas at thetop of the column assembly 200 (e.g., at an inlet of the arm collar 320,see FIG. 4) through which respective actuation cables may passtherethrough. Similarly, exit regions 482 are shown at the bottom of thecolumn assembly 200 (e.g., at a bottom of the post support positioner240, see FIG. 4 through which respective actuation cables may passtherethrough.

The rotational movements of the column assembly 200, arm 300, and tubframe 400 relative to the base 100 are shown in FIG. 23, with thedirection of rotation being indicated by R2. Infant tub 500 rotatesalong with tub frame 400 when placed therein. FIGS. 24A-24E show exampleangular movements of the column assembly 200 and the arm 300 relative tobase 100. FIGS. 25-28 show other views of the bassinet 1 to more clearlyillustrate the features thereof. Specifically, the tub frame 400 has acorner brace 484 at each corner thereof to support the infant tub 500when placed therein. Infant tub 500 is also supported by the uppersurface of hub 472 and lateral ribs 470A, 470B, thereby defining asubstantially flat plane along which the bottom surface 520 of theinfant tub 500 is supported by the tub frame 400. In the embodimentshown, the range of motion of the tub frame 400 relative to the arm 300is controlled by rotary stop 490, the position of which on tub frame 400determines the maximum angular degree of rotation of the tub frame 400relative to the arm 300 by the rotary stop 490 contacting the arm 300when the maximum angular rotation in one direction (e.g., clockwise orcounterclockwise) is reached, thereby preventing rotational movements ofthe tub frame 400 that would result in damage to the respectiveactuation cables contained within and routed throughout the tub frame400. The pivoting movements of the tub frame 400 and the infant tub 500relative to the arm 300 are shown in FIG. 29, with the direction ofrotation being indicated by R4. Infant tub 500 pivots along with tubframe 400 when placed therein. FIGS. 30A-30D show example angularpivoting movements of the tub frame 400 and the infant tub 500 relativeto the arm 300.

Some features of the infant tub are shown and described relative toFIGS. 31-36B. Infant tub 500 can be made from one or more of opaque,translucent, and/or transparent materials, including, for example,aluminum, plastic, or any other suitable material. The infant tub has arecessed portion, generally designated 530, which has a reduced lengthand/or width compared with the perimeter of the infant tub 500 measuredat a height above the recessed portion 530. Recessed portion 530 isprovided to more accurately retain the infant tub 500 within the tubframe 400 and also to conform to a standard mattress (see, e.g., 700,FIG. 41) or pad shape that would be placed within the recessed portion530 inside the infant tub 500. In some embodiments, physicalindentations and/or protuberances in the tub frame 400 and the infanttub 500, detachable mating clips attached thereto, and the like may beprovided to provide enhanced physically interlocking engagement betweenthe tub frame 400 and the infant tub 500. In some embodiments, anactuatable release may be provided within the tub frame 400 to preventthe infant tub 500 from being separated from the tub frame 400 withoutthe release being disengaged, either by direct manipulation of therelease or by a remote release, for example, of the type shown for anyof the wheel handles 410, the pivot/rotation handles 430, and/or theheight handles 450. The mattress 700 or pad can, for example, have aheight that is substantially the same as the height of the recessedportion 530 to provide an effectively flat bottom surface of the infanttub 500 that is larger than bottom surface 520 of the infant tub 500.The infant tub has, above the recessed portion 530, opposing lateralside walls 560 that are connected by a front wall 540 and a back wall550. Side walls 560 and back wall 550 have a height that meets allapplicable safety standards necessary for the transport of infantswithin a mobile bassinet. Front wall 540 has a reduced height thatprovides increased access to infants within the infant bassinet. In thecorners 572 joining the front wall 540 with the side walls 560, afurther reduced height section 542 is provided to allow for a mother orother caregiver to have easier access to the infant to ensure the infantin safely transitioned from the bassinet into the arms of the mother orother caregiver. The upper edges of the back wall 550 and the side walls560 have a rolled edge to provide a more distributed point of contactbetween the arms of the mother or other caregiver and the infant tub 500when placing the infant into or removing the infant from the infant tub500. At each of corners 572, along the entirety of the reduced heightsection 542, and along the upper edge of front wall 540, a fully rollededge is provided to ensure a maximized distributed point of contactbetween the arms of the mother or other caregiver and the infant tub 500when placing the infant into or removing the infant from the infant tub500.

Infant tub 500 has an insert 510 that is contoured to the back wall 550and the full height portions of the side walls 560, including conformingto the inner contours of the recessed portion 530 and extendingproximate to (e.g., in contact with) the bottom surface 520 of theinfant tub 500. As such, when a mattress (e.g., 700, FIG. 41) is placedwithin the recessed portion 530, the insert 510 is held securely againstthe back wall 550 and the side walls 560 to provide increased access tothe infant when needed. During periods when increased access to theinfant is not needed (e.g., during sleep and/or transport of theinfant), the insert 510 is configured to be reversibly installed into afirst position (see FIGS. 34-36A), such that the insert 510 is incontact with the front wall 540 and the side walls 560 of the infant tub500. In the second position (see FIGS. 31 and 32), the insert 510 islocated against the side walls 560 and the back wall 550 of the infanttub 500, so as to not require a separate storage location for the insert510 when enhanced access to the interior of the infant tub 500 isdesired by a user. The full height portions of the side walls 560 extendat least half of the total width of the overall width of the infant tub500. The sides of the insert 510 extend, just as with the side walls 560of the infant tub 500, over half of the width of the infant tub 500. Assuch, when in the first position, the insert fully overlaps the reducedheight sections 542 and the front wall 540, thereby providing asubstantially wall of a single height to prevent infants from rolling orotherwise falling over the side of the infant tub 500 while, forexample, sleeping or being transported within the infant tub 500.

In some embodiments, the infant tub 500 has a visual indicator 532,which is shown in an example embodiment in FIGS. 35, 36A, and 36B as avividly colored area, such as red in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 35,36A, and 36B within the recessed portion 530 to provide a visualindication to a user when the infant tub 500 is not fully engaged withinthe tub frame 400. An example of such a mis-alignment, incomplete,and/or improper insertion of the infant tub 500 within the tub frame 400can be seen, for example, in FIG. 36B, which shows an example of theinfant tub 500 not being fully and/or properly seated/positioned withinthe tub frame 400. Further safety indicia may be provided to be visibleon one or more of the outside and/or the inside surfaces of the infanttub 500. Such safety indicia may include printed materials directingproper use of the bassinet 1 and warning of the dangers posed byimproper use, such as, for example, placing an infant face down withinthe infant tub 500. As noted above, the infant tub 500 may include, insome embodiments, a visual indicator 532 around the bottom perimeter ofthe infant tub 500 (e.g., within the recessed portion 530). In theembodiment shown, this visual indicator 532 is flush with the infant tub500, is approximately one inch in width, and, from the outside of thetub, the visual indicator 532 is only visible when the infant tub 500 isincorrectly positioned in the tub frame 400. This visual indicator 532serves as a visual cue to appropriately adjust the infant tub 500 intothe intended secure position within the tub frame 400. In the embodimentshown, the outside marking may be red or some other vivid and/ornoticeable color to draw attention and action from users regarding themis-alignment, incomplete, and/or improper positioning of the infant tub500. In embodiments where the infant tub 500 is made of, at least inpart, a translucent and/or a transparent material, the visual indicator532 can serve as a pre-populated message board, with basic patient careinformation integrated on the inner surface thereof (e.g., the surfaceengaged against the outer surface of the infant tub 500), such as“position infant on his/her back to sleep.” The inside marking of visualindicator 532 may be a neutral color, such as white.

FIGS. 37-41 show an example embodiment of a two-piece insert, generallydesignated 600, installed in various installation positions within aninfant bassinet 500. The inserts 600 have contoured shapes that matchthe internal contours of the rear wall 550 and side wall 560 of at leastone of the corners of the infant tub 500. In FIG. 37, the inserts 600are in a second position, in which the reduced height sections 542 arenot blocked and each of the inserts 600 are positioned adjacent to(e.g., substantially flush with) the back wall and at least a portion ofone of the two side walls of the infant tub 500. In some embodiments,the inserts 600 can be configured to be installed in any of the cornersof the infant tub, including at the reduced height sections 542 ofinfant tub 500. In other embodiments, the inserts 600 can be configuredto be “keyed” or otherwise shaped to only fit within a pair ofdesignated corners of the infant tub 500. Regardless of theconfiguration of the inserts 600 and in which corners of the infant tub500 they are configured to fit, the height of the perimeter of theinfant tub is not a continuous height but is instead a reduced heightalong at least a portion of front wall 540 where inserts 600 do notoverlap front wall 540 (see, e.g., FIGS. 38-40) when both inserts 600are in the second position. FIG. 38 shows the inserts 600 installed in afirst position, in which the inserts 600 block the reduced heightsections so that an upper edge 546 of the infant tub 500 and the inserts600 is substantially continuous, other than at a portion of the frontwall 540 over which the inserts 600 do not overlap. FIGS. 39 and 40 showtwo example configurations for the inserts 600 within the infant base,with one insert 600 being installed in the first position and one insert600 being installed in the second position in each of FIGS. 39 and 40.FIG. 41 shows the inserts 600 being retained in the second position bybeing positioned between a mattress 700 located within the recessedportion (see 530, FIGS. 31 and 32) of the infant tub 500 and the wallsof the recessed portion itself.

In some embodiments, as shown in the example embodiment of FIGS. 42 and43, a lighting device 800 (see also, 502, FIG. 36B) or devices can beincluded in association with bassinet 1. For example, one or more LEDsor other suitable lighting device(s) can be provided in, on, integrallyformed within, or removably coupled to the infant tub 500. In someembodiments, the lighting device(s) 800 can be similarly incorporatedwith, or attached to, the tub frame 400, either instead of, or inaddition to, the lighting device 800 on the infant tub 500. The lightingdevice(s) 800 can be provided power via batteries contained within areceptacle within the infant tub 500 or via electrical contacts on theinfant tub 500 that mate with corresponding electrical contacts on thetub frame 400 to provide power to the lighting device(s) 800 from apower source (e.g., a rechargeable battery) located elsewhere on thebassinet 1 (e.g., on the base 100, on the arm 300, or on the tub frame400). The lighting device(s) 800 can in an example embodiment bepositioned above the infant positioned within the infant tub 500 toprovide optional lighting when activated within the infant tub topromote safe and comfortable infant handling by a user during periods ofdarkness, such as at night. The intensity of the light generated by thelighting device 800 may be controlled by a user, for example, by turningan intensity knob or engaging/pressing one or more buttons configured toset the lighting device at one of a plurality of preset illuminationintensity thresholds, so that the infant's sleeping is not disturbed byturning on the lighting device 800. In some embodiments, the lightingdevice 800 may be configured to direct the light generated toward acenter region 810 of the infant tub 500, away from an area of the infanttub in which the infant's face would be located while sleeping in theinfant tub.

The embodiments described herein are examples only and are not limiting.Many variations and modifications of the systems, apparatus, andprocesses described herein are possible and are within the scope of thedisclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to theembodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims thatfollow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subjectmatter of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bassinet comprising: a base; a column assemblyrotatably connected to the base at a first end of the column assembly;an arm rotatably connected to a second end of the column assembly; a tubframe pivotably connected to the arm; an infant tub retained within thetub frame, the infant tub comprising a front wall, a back wall, and twoside walls and having areas of reduced height along the front wall andat least one of the side walls to provide enhanced access to the infantslocated within the infant tub; and an insert configured to be removablypositioned within an interior of the infant tub such that: in a firstposition, the insert blocks the areas of reduced height so that an upperedge of the infant tub and the insert is substantially continuous atleast around corners of the infant tub, and in a second position, theinsert does not block the areas of reduced height and is positionedadjacent to the back wall and at least portions of the two side walls ofthe infant tub.
 2. The bassinet according to claim 1, wherein: theinfant tub has a length, a width, and a height; and the side walls ofthe infant tub have a full height portion that is at least half of thewidth of the infant tub.
 3. The bassinet according to claim 1, whereinthe infant tub comprises a recessed portion that engages within the tubframe, the recessed portion having a reduced width and/or length fromthe width and/or length of the infant tub.
 4. The bassinet according toclaim 1, wherein the infant tub comprises a visual indicator within anarea defined by the recessed portion of the infant tub, the visualindicator being positioned and configured to provide a visual indicationto a user when the infant tub is not fully seated within the tub frame.5. The bassinet according to claim 1, wherein, in the areas of reducedheight, an upper edge of the infant tub is rolled to provide distributedpoints of contact when contacted by a caregiver of the infant.
 6. Thebassinet according to claim 1, wherein the column assembly has a lengththat is adjustable and adjusting the length of the column assemblychanges a height of the tub frame and infant tub relative to the base.7. The bassinet according to claim 6, wherein the length of the columnassembly is adjustable by changing a length of a height adjuster locatedwithin the column assembly.
 8. The bassinet according to claim 7,wherein the tub frame comprises height handles that that are connectedto the height adjuster by one or more cables routed through the tubframe and, when actuated, the height handles are configured to actuatethe height adjuster to allow a user to change a length of the columnassembly.
 9. The bassinet according to claim 7, wherein the heightadjuster comprises a pneumatic strut.
 10. The bassinet according toclaim 1, wherein the column assembly comprises a support post, which hasa square cross-sectional profile and is fixedly connected to the arm, alower support member, which has a cross-sectional profile of a hollowcylinder and is fixedly connected to the base, and a linear bearingconfigured to prevent relative rotational movements between the supportpost and the lower support member.
 11. The bassinet according to claim10, wherein: the lower support member is fixedly connected to a rotarygear adjacent to the base; the rotary gear is rotatable along with thecolumn assembly relative to the base; a rotary lock is slidinglyattached to the base in a position adjacent to the rotary gear; andwherein the rotary lock and the rotary gear have interlocking teeththat, when the lock is engaged against the rotary gear, the column isheld rotatably stationary relative to the base.
 12. The bassinetaccording to claim 1, comprising a rotary hub connecting the tub frameto the arm, the rotary hub comprising a pivot gear and a pivot lock thatinterlock to prevent a pivoting movement of the tub frame relative tothe arm.
 13. The bassinet according to claim 12, wherein the tub framecomprises at least one pivot/rotation handle, which is connected by apivot/rotation cable to the rotary lock and the pivot lock so that anactuating movement of the pivot/rotation handle by a user causes anactuation of the pivot/rotation cable, which substantiallysimultaneously disengages the pivot lock from the pivot gear and therotary lock from the rotary gear, so that the tub frame is released topivot about the arm and the column assembly is released to rotate aboutthe base substantially simultaneously.
 14. The bassinet according toclaim 1, wherein the base comprises a plurality of pivotable wheels, atleast two of the pivotable wheels comprising an automatic lock featurethat prevents a respective one of the pivotable wheels from rollingunless deactivated.
 15. The bassinet according to claim 14, wherein thetub frame comprises wheel handles configured to be actuated by a user todeactivate the automatic lock to allow the pivotable wheels to roll. 16.The bassinet according to claim 15, wherein the at least two pivotablewheels are held rotatably fixed unless one or more of the wheel handlesare actuated by a user.
 17. The bassinet according to claim 15, whereineach of the wheel handles are connected to a cable, wherein each cableis connected to a wheel cable reducer, which is configured to transmitan actuating movement from any of the cables to an outlet cable which isconnected to the at least two pivotable wheels.
 18. The bassinetaccording to claim 1, wherein the column assembly has a variable length,wherein cables passing through the column assembly are coiled in ahelical arrangement within a lower support member, and wherein a pitchof the helical arrangement varies as the length of the column assemblyvaries.
 19. The bassinet according to claim 1, comprising an anti-tipsafety arm rotatably connected to the column assembly, the anti-tipsafety arm being located underneath the base, wherein the anti-tipsafety arm is rotatable in a same plane as the arm as the columnassembly is rotatable relative to the base, and wherein the safety armis configured to contact ground and is a mechanism to minimize thepotential risk of the bassinet tipping over.
 20. The bassinet accordingto claim 19, wherein the anti-tip safety arm is in a retracted positionwith a distal end of the anti-tip safety arm spaced vertically apartfrom the ground when the anti-tip safety arm is substantially alignedwith a length direction of the base and in a deployed position with thedistal end of the anti-tip safety arm adjacent the ground when theanti-tip safety arm is not substantially aligned with the lengthdirection of the base.
 21. The bassinet according to claim 1, whereinthe insert comprises first and second sections, the first and secondsections being contoured to fit within a respective one of the cornersof the infant tub.
 22. The bassinet according to claim 1, wherein thefirst and second sections are movable between the respective corners ofthe infant tub independently of each other and are secured in placewithin the infant tub in one of the respective corners of the infanttub.
 23. The bassinet according to claim 1, wherein, in the secondposition, the insert is substantially flush with the back wall and atleast portions of the two side walls of the infant tub.
 24. The bassinetaccording to claim 1, comprising a lighting device attached to thebassinet.
 25. The bassinet according to claim 24, wherein the lightingdevice is configured to direct a light towards a center region withinthe infant tub, away from a face of an infant placed therein.